Lead Teacher

Head Teacher Job Description

Head Teachers are responsible for providing a quality learning environment to the children in their classes. Experiences offered must be developmentally appropriate and aligned with the Reggio Emilia Philosophy.

During the introductory period, the employee’s supervisor explains job responsibilities and the performance standards expected. From time to time, the employee may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work necessary or important to the operation of KLA Schools. His or her cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected and appreciated.

Key Responsibilities of Head Teachers
• Observes and documents children's progress and developmental milestones
• Devises and implements their curriculum
• Divides responsibilities in the class so the teachers can systematically observe, take notes, and record conversations between children to collect information to prepare daily journals
• Completes incident/accident reports as needed and contacts the parents to inform
them of the situation
• Works under the leadership of the School Director or Pedagogical Coordinator to
explore ways to expand the children’s spontaneous activities
• Works with small groups of children of varying abilities and interests, including those with special needs
• Based on the children’s responses, introduces materials, questions, and opportunities
that provoke children to further explore the topics they are interested in exploring
• Purposefully allows mistakes to happen to support children into thinking about the
mistakes
• Allows the children to negotiate in the group (Intervention, as teacher, in the
children’s conflicts should be minimal.)
• Supervises sleeping children
• Cleans up nap area after children wake
• Trusts parents to be informed and productive members of a cooperative educational team
• Prepares weekly projections based on outcomes of previous experiences, teachers'analyses, and feedback from Director or Pedagogical Coordinator
• Prepares flow of the day
• Meets with coworkers after classes to review observations and analyze the children’s thought processes in order to be able to start the documentation procedure
• Prepares children’s assessments and holds teacher-parent meetings twice a year
• Supports the afterhours school’s special events
• Participates in professional development and logistics meetings
• Attends emergency meetings

• Trains the teacher assistant and new co-teacher (when needed) in the above-
mentioned skills

• Schedules meetings with parents at the beginning of the school year

• Maintains a clean and organized classroom, well stocked with appropriate materials

Reporting Relationship
• Reports directly to the School Director

Job, Health, and Educational Requirements
• 18 years or older
• Associate’s degree in early childhood education (required); bachelor’s degree or
higher in early childhood education (preferred)
• 45 Hours of Childcare Training
• CDA
• Commitment to state, federal, and KLA Schools guidelines
• Background screening requirements
• Ability to frequently lift, move, or hold children up to 40 pounds
• Ability to occasionally lift, move, or hold weight up to 40 pounds
• Ability to supervise and interact with the children outdoors for extended periods in
varied weather conditions
• Full range of motion to lift, reach, squat, climb, sit, and otherwise fully participate in activities
• Immediate and appropriate responsiveness to multiple or unexpected situations or
emergencies
• Mental and physical alertness and an appropriate level of energy to perform essential job requirements
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, Power Point, and iMovie
• Good organizational skills
• Time management skills
• Ability to travel and commute for professional development
• Commitment to learning and applying the Reggio Emilia philosophy
• Commitment to state and local agency training requirements and certifications
• Good writing skills
• English language skills (Bilingual is a plus.)
• Adherence to all health, safety, and operating procedures as outlined by KLA Schools
• Ability, in the event of the school’s transition to a Virtual Learning Program, to support
the planning and implementation of that program as well as participate in all virtual
meetings and events that may be required by the School Director

Job Performance
• Arrives to work on time
• Clocks in and out at door daily
• Notifies the school if sick or will not be coming to work
• Dresses appropriately and follows the school dress code
• Plans and implements projects
• Keeps supplies and classroom clean and organized
• Attends responsibly to the safety of the children
• Attends child development workshops and teacher-parent meetings

• Assists with community activities
• Maintains positive communication with parents, children, and other staff members

For all job descriptions, the employee is responsible for keeping in-service hours or
education and training requirements up to date. Not having these education or training requirements up to date constitutes a violation to the terms of employment. If the employee is not in compliance, he or she will have three months to correct this violation to avoid suspension without pay. If suspended, the employee will be reinstated only after completing the necessary in-service hours, education, or training requirements and providing proof of completion to the School Director or Assistant Director.